Steve Burr's other life with England

It's not just the John Terrys and Frank Lampards of this world that have been on international duty this week - as Kidderminster Harriers boss Steve Burr can testify.

While most of his players are off on their summer holidays - defender Martin Riley was last seen at the tables in Las Vegas - the manager has one more job to do before departing on his own break to Scotland at the end of the week.

Because in the hurly burly world of non-league football Burr is assistant boss with the England semi-professional 'C' team, who find themselves in Ireland this week preparing to play the Republic at Waterford United FC in the International Challenge Trophy tonight.

It's imperative that the Three Lions start their campaign, which lasts all season, well with Estonia also lying in wait elsewhere in Group B.

But hitting the campaign trail is nothing new to Burr, who has been No 2 to Paul Fairclough ever since Alex Inglethorpe left to take a youth coaching job at Tottenham in October 2005.

Club wise, the 50-year-old has served Northwich, Stalybridge Celtic and now Harriers since taking the international job, coming to Aggborough in January after Mark Yates left for Cheltenham.

And being the Stuart Pearce of the national non-league team has it's benefits, as Burr can today reveal.

He said: "I have clocked up a few games with England now, I don't know where the time has gone! I quite enjoy it, it's away from club football and I have a good input into what goes on with the national team.

"The whole set-up is done just as professionally as the first team would be doing, nothing is ever skimped on. We stay at marvellous hotels, all the food is prepared in the right way, we have got a team doctor and plenty of other people working hard behind the scenes.

"There's a good network of eyes and ears for us away from the camp as well, we have scouts watching non-league football around the country."

Burr comprises part of a backroom team that includes Barnet caretaker manager Fairclough, Dagenham & Redbridge goalkeeping coach Mick Payne and former Harriers physio Jimmy Conway, who doubles up as kit man.

Mike Appleby is another cog in the wheel with frequent trips to check out the venues where England are going to play, but it's the pride the players put in when wearing the shirt that makes it all worthwhile for Burr.

He said: "That is what I enjoy about it, that feeling of being involved with the national team.

"I have been fortunate as well as the players with the places we have gone to play, seeing different parts of the world."

It's a double edged sword on occasion for Burr, who from time to time has to fend off suggestions after a conflict of interest between club and international football.

But the Harriers boss is insistent that matters at Aggborough do, and always will, come first.

He said: "I have made that quite clear wherever I have gone. Nothing will ever get in the way of what I am doing at club level, because they are my main employee.

"They understand that and I don't think I have ever had to miss a game because of the national team."

Burr has had to adopt a more hands on role with the national team after Fairclough stepped back into the Football League to take temporary charge at Barnet, where he was boss from 2004 to 2008.

Nonetheless, steering the national ship on his own is not something that appeals to the Aggborough chief.

He said: "Working with Paul as long as I have done, when he decides to call it a day it might be the time for me to say then 'I have had a great run with this and it's time for new people now to come in.'

"I do enjoy as well just the coaching and assistant side of it, rather than being the boss."